Interlocking device for ground cover mats

{
  "publication_number": "US9926959B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Interlocking device for ground cover mats",
  "abstract": "The invention is directed to an interlocking device for releasably connecting ground a first and a second ground cover mats each having tubular members. The device includes two clamping arms and a securing means. The clamping arms each have a collar member to engage one of the tubular members. The collar members are adjustably connected to each other to move the device from an open installation position into a closed restraining position in which the concave surfaces restrain the tubular members and are opposed to each other. The securing means releasably locks the clamping arms in the closed restraining position.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An interlocking device for releasably connecting two abutting ground cover mats, each of the mats having a tubular member, the device comprising: (a) a first clamping arm comprising a first curved collar member and a first plate; (b) a second clamping arm comprising a second curved collar member and a second plate; (c) wherein the first and second clamping arms moveably engage each other to move between an open installation position and a closed restraining position where the first and second plates are substantially co-planar with the mats, and the first and second curved collar members are opposed to each other to restrain the tubular members of the adjacent mats; and (d) wherein one or both of the first and second clamping arms pivot about a hinge pin comprising a cam which mates with a groove formed in each of the first and second clamping arms, when the first and second clamping arms are pivoted into the closed restraining position, thereby securing the first and second clamping arms in the closed restraining position.",
    "2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second curved collar members are configured to engage the tubular members when in the closed restraining position, thereby securing the first and second clamping arms in the closed restraining position."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to an interlocking device for ground cover mats.\n\nIn the oil and gas industry, ground cover mats are used to temporarily support heavy equipment and transport trucks over wet or disturbed ground in remote locations. These mats tend to have a high weight per area and need to cover significant areas. Accordingly, the mats are provided in manageable sizes and weights, transported to remote locations, interlocked together for use, and thereafter disassembled.\n\nPrior art interlocking systems for ground cover mats or panels are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,348,459, 3,572,224, and 4,594,829. These systems rely on intricately shaped connectors formed on the edges of the mats or panels for interlocking effect. Besides the need to specifically adapt the mats for these connectors, such systems have other potential limitations. First, it is difficult to engineer the connectors with sufficient strength to support heavy equipment. Second, the connectors may become inoperable if clogged with dirt or deformed under loading. Third, the abutting edges of the mats must be precisely aligned to mate the connectors. Finally, the connectors do not readily accommodate relative rotation of the mats as may be expected on soft ground surfaces.\n\nAccordingly, there is thus a need in the art for an interlocking system for ground cover mats that mitigates the deficiencies of the prior art.\n\nIn general terms, the present invention provides an interlocking device for releasably connecting two adjacent ground cover mats, each of the mats having a tubular member.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16B 5/0635",
    "E01C 5/005",
    "E01C 9/08",
    "E04B 5/023",
    "E04F 15/02",
    "F16B 7/0433",
    "Y10T 24/44077",
    "Y10T 29/49826"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E01C 5/00",
    "E01C 9/08",
    "E04B 5/02",
    "E04F 15/02",
    "F16B 5/06",
    "F16B 7/04"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Shawn Beamish"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-02-22",
  "publication_date": "2018-03-27",
  "grant_date": "2018-03-27",
  "priority_date": "2012-02-22",
  "application_number": "US-201314378265-A",
  "family_id": "49004888",
  "cited_by_count": 1,
  "citations": [
    "US3348459A",
    "US3572224A",
    "US4594829A",
    "JPH10121717A",
    "CA2414518A1",
    "CA2528749A1",
    "US20100209187A1",
    "US7918829B2"
  ]
}